How to make a great broccoli and cheese casserole at home with the easy to follow recipe. Cheesy Broccoli Baked Delight is a universal favorite and a very comforting meal.
Table of Contents
Cheesy Broccoli Baked Delight: Homemade Comfort Food
- When you’re looking for a comforting take on your favorite meals and want to make them in a way that’s easy for the whole family, Cheesy Broccoli Baked Delight is the perfect choice.
- This Cheesy Broccoli Casserole is a classic recipe where you take fresh broccoli florets, add a creamy cheesy flavor, and top it off with a crispy golden crust.
- This dish is perfect for weeknight meals, dinners, and holiday feasts.
- This Cheesy Broccoli Baked Delight recipe is a hearty casserole perfect for a potluck and a very comforting meal.
- You will learn all the steps to make this recipe and how to make a great broccoli cheese casserole in very simple words, including all the ingredients, preparation, some serving suggestions, answers to your questions in very simple words and additional tips at the end.
Why Cheesy Broccoli Baked Delight is everyone’s favorite
Nutritious: – Broccoli is rich in vitamins, fiber and minerals which are absolutely great for your health.
Very Comforting: – Easy to make and can be eaten cheesy, creamy and hot.
Everyone’s / Family Favorite – This dish is loved by everyone from kids to adults.
Make Ahead – This recipe is very helpful on busy days and is perfect for holidays.
Ingredients List:-
Gather all the ingredients required for this recipe beforehand so that nothing is left over and you can make a wonderful Cheesy Broccoli Baked Delight.
Main Ingredients List:-
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, frozen, thawed and drained
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated and keep half cup aside for topping
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken to substitute
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and onion powder
- Black pepper and salt to taste
Crunchy Topping Ingredients:-
- 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted and melted
- 1 cup Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs
All Instructions to Cook Cheesy Broccoli Baked Delight:-
1. Preparing the Broccoli
- Wash the broccoli thoroughly and cut it into small pieces as per the quantity mentioned in the ingredients list.
- Now boil salted water in a deep vessel and put it for 3 to 4 minutes, so that it becomes soft, but keep in mind that its green color should remain intact and do not cook for too long.
- Remove it from the vessel and drain the water well and quickly put the broccoli in ice water, so that it keeps cooking when it is hot and cooking stops when put in cold water.
- Remove it from cold water and pat it dry.
2. Preparing the creamy mixture
- Now take a big mixing bowl –
- Add mayonnaise, mushroom soup cream or (sour cream) cheddar cheese, beaten egg, mozzarella, garlic and onion powder, salt and then pepper!
- Put all these ingredients in the bowl as per the mentioned quantity and make it smooth and keep mixing until it becomes creamy.
3. Mixing the broccoli
- Put the blanched broccoli slowly in your creamy cheese and mix it well, so that the creamy mixture should mix well on all the broccoli.
- Check your broccoli florets once to make sure all the florets are well coated with the sauce.
4. Preparing the Casserole
- Get your oven ready by preheating it to 350° F (175° C).
- Coat a 9*13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or lightly butter.
- Place the broccoli mixture into your baking dish and spread it out evenly.
5. Add the Toppings
- Using a small bowl, add the crushed Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs to the bowl and drizzle with the melted butter and mix together.
- Sprinkle evenly over the casserole. This adds flavor.
- If you want a more cheesy crust, sprinkle 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese on top.
6. Baking
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven without pushing it in and bake for 28 to 32 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it sit at room temperature for 7 to 10 minutes to allow all the flavors to meld together and make this Cheesy Broccoli Baked Delight delicious.
Serving Cheesy Broccoli Baked Delight: –
- Try the tips given below to make this broccoli and cheese casserole look and taste great in a classic way.
- For a holiday meal – Use turkey, roasted chicken or baked ham.
- For a light dinner – Use a fresh salad.
- Dinner rolls or garlic bread
- For a delicious side dish – Rice or mashed potatoes
Important Tips: – Serve this dish straight from the oven on your plate to enjoy it sticky and hot, which gives a wonderful comforting experience.
You can also try these options: –
For a low carb version – You can add crushed pork rinds or almond flour toppings which are great but don’t use crackers.
For extra protein – For more flavor and protein, try using chopped chicken, ham, or bacon.
Trying out different cheeses – For a richer flavor, try Monterey Jack, Gruyere, or Parmesan.
Adding vegetables – Add extra veggies like carrots, cauliflower, or spinach.
Special Tips for Cheesy Broccoli Baked Delight:-
- If you want a creamier taste, don’t use shredded cheese. Use freshly grated cheese.
- When you bake broccoli, do not overcook it. Slightly undercooked florets last longer.
- If you want to use frozen broccoli, check that it is thawed and free of moisture. Then, dry it thoroughly before using.
- This recipe is a big hit so you can double it for more people.
FAQs for Cheesy Broccoli Baked Delight
Q. Can broccoli casserole be refrigerated?
Absolutely! Prepare your casserole first, bake it, let it cool to room temperature. Then, cover it in a refrigerated container and reheat it for up to 3 months.
To reheat, reheat it in your oven at 350°F.
Q. Can broccoli casserole be made ahead of time?
Yes! This unbaked casserole can be prepared up to 24 hours ahead. Slice well, cover and refrigerate. When done, bake according to directions, just be sure to cook for 8 to 10 minutes longer.
Q. What causes a watery casserole?
If you don’t drain the broccoli well, your dish can be too moist, so be sure to drain and pat dry the frozen broccoli before using it.
Q. What is the best cheese for a broccoli casserole?
Sharp cheddar is a great cheese for a classic. If you want a more intense flavor, try Colby Jack, mozzarella, Gruyère, or a combination.
Q. Can fresh or frozen broccoli be used?
Both broccoli and fresh broccoli work great, but fresh gives a great texture, and frozen broccoli is just convenient, so you can just thaw and drain the water thoroughly.
Q. How to make Cheesy Broccoli Baked Delight Casserole healthier?
If you want to try a lighter version, use mayonnaise, low fat cottage cheese, then Greek yogurt. Remember to not use whole wheat belly crumbs.
Nutrition per serving:-
- 11 g Protein
- 21 g Fat
- 14 g Carbohydrates
- 3 g Fiber
- 290 Calories
- Nutritional content may vary depending on the brand of ingredients used.
Final Thoughts
Broccoli and Cheesy Casserole is a timeless dish that is a perfect combination of comfort and nourishment. This cheesy broccoli baked delight, with its creamy base, cheesy crust and golden topping is sure to be a hit on the table when you prepare it and serve it as a side dish on Thanksgiving.
This dish can be prepared during the week for dinner or can be tried any day and is highly customizable.
It can be made ahead of time, which makes it convenient and easy to prepare, and this casserole will quickly become a part of your recipe collection.
Get ready to go right now, gather your broccoli, cheese and your favorite casserole dish, and serve this cheesy dish to your family, guests and friends at home.
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